Pest in Class: Expert Voices in Pest Management

Scaling a small business is always challenging. Sometimes, “winging it” feels like the best tactic that a growing team can do. But what about when a party like private equity enters the picture?Those investors want to see more concrete processes that can be scaled and don’t rely on knowledge that only resides in various minds across the company.Laura Gergle, VP of Project Management at Pest & Termite Consultants in Raleigh, NC, tells us how effective project management and documentation of processes and initiatives isn’t just healthy for your business. Effective planning will make your company more attractive to outsiders looking to invest. Join us as we discuss: [10:14] Why project management makes a difference to private equity [23:50] How project management factors into culture [37:19] Areas that require a different project management approachCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Professional Women In Pest ManagementYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Anyone in sales will tell you that managing a large team spread across different locations and time zones is no small feat. You need to lead and guide them so that they meet and exceed quotas and improve continuously.With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology, sales teams are now able to improve how they work in ways that were previously unthinkable.This positive disruption motivated Gavin Janis to make the transition from being a user to a trainer of high-performing sales teams at Siro.He joins us to share the incredible story of his professional journey and how Siro helps record and transcribe face-to-face conversations to unlock missing revenue for sales teams in the pest control industry.Join us as we discuss:[07:35] An introduction to Siro and the platform’s mission[11:12] How Siro is used to train sales teams and help them to improve[27:46] Success stories from companies that are using the platformCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:SiroFieldRoutesYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Get ready for an electrifying episode as we bring you the best insights straight from the floor of Ignite 2024, the must-attend event for pest control professionals in Orlando, Florida. We’re diving deep into the future of business operations with cutting-edge AI integrations, game-changing software strategies, and powerful automation techniques that can elevate any pest control business. Whether you’re looking to optimize your team’s efficiency, leverage AI for smarter decision-making, or streamline your daily operations, this episode is packed with actionable tips. Don’t miss out on these rapid-fire interviews that will ignite your passion and spark innovation in your pest control operations!Join us as we discuss:[00:27] Fun feedback from a first-time Ignite visitor[9:58] Exciting AI-powered phone system solutions[20:56] Practical advice from a 10-year FieldRoutes user[30:07] Best business practices from a FieldRoutes coachConnect with our guests:Kendra Snyder, General Manager at Quest Termite and Pest ControlRaymond Kidwell, Director Of Business Development at Voice for PestCliff Killingsworth, Owner of ENSEC Pest & LawnBill Goins, Customer Service Specialist & Operations Manager at Pest SOS Sales & Office SolutionsYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Eric Scherzinger and Kurt Scherzinger know that taking over a multigenerational business comes with its own set of challenges. They knew that in order to scale sustainably, it had to start with a shift in mindset and the way that the business operated. As members of the senior management of Scherzinger Pest Control, Eric and Kurt are on a mission to help homeowners get rid of their bug problems. They stop by to share their professional journey with us and highlight the challenges of working in a family business. They also provide advice for those planning to join a multigenerational business, how to create a good work culture, and how to ensure a smooth transition to another software. Join us as we discuss:[11:16] The challenges of taking over a family business[21:05] Key elements that contribute to a great work culture[28:26] Advice for those going into a multigenerational businessCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Scherzinger Pest ControlEOSFieldRoutesYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In a male-dominated industry like pest control, engagements with customers tend to be very impersonal and transactional.These circumstances motivated Suzy Rayner to lead with empathy when she interacts with customers so that she can meet them where they are.She joins us on this episode of Pest in Class to share her story of incredible resilience and how she turned the adversities she faced in her personal life into a strength. Suzy also talks about how she started her company, Valkyrie Pest Solutions, and why she uses a trauma-informed lens when engaging with customers.Join us as we discuss:[06:00] How Suzy improved the customer experience[21:57] Why it’s crucial to use a “trauma-informed lens” with customers[34:35] The importance of gender diversity in pest controlCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Valkyrie Pest SolutionsFieldRoutesYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

As an avid outdoorsman, Sam Taggart, Founder and CEO of D2D Experts, compares door-to-door sales to his love for snowboarding.That’s because Sam believes that while most people will certainly fail in the beginning, it’s those who overcome their fear of rejection and persevere who will become master salespeople.He highlights the importance of perseverance through adversity, a reasonable recruitment model, and robust training programs for sales success.Join us as we discuss:[8:02] Why you need to have faith in your product[16:49] Recruiting tips for door-to-door salespeople[28:30] How to help struggling employees[37:55] Healthy ways of dealing with successCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:The D2D Podcast with Sam TaggartABC'$ of Closing: Experts' Secrets to Closing More Deals in Door-to-Door SalesYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to FieldFamous on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for FieldFamous in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Meet Rian and Noelle Goins, the dynamic husband-and-wife team behind Los Angeles-based Get Goins Pest Control.Ryan and Noelle's passion extends beyond their business; they are actively involved in industry organizations and are the driving force behind the Keep It Goins Foundation, a nonprofit that provides essential pest care services to those in need. The Goins emphasize the importance of authenticity, creativity, and community-focused values in their business and social media presence, making pest control both approachable and engaging.Join us as we discuss:[06:49] Being a married couple in pest control[22:03] The importance of building trust with clients[27:49] Lessons from the first year[46:14] Giving back with The Keep It Goin FoundationCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Final Cut ProAdobeAmerican Black Film FestivalPCOCWomen in Pest ControlNPMAJAG - Jobs for America’s GraduatesMake A Wish FoundationKeep it Goins FoundationThe Out GoinsYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Michael Moorhouse, President of Mosquito Shield, has been helping start small businesses since 1991, when he and a partner opened an ice cream shop in a small Massachusetts town. Since joining Mosquito Shield in 2008, he’s facilitated 120 new franchisees operating in over 400 territories.Michael will be the first to tell you that the first leg of the journey wasn’t easy — he realized pretty early that he had a lot to learn about franchising. But today, he recommends it to any aspiring entrepreneur who’s considering entry into small business ownership.Michael joined us to talk about the importance of understanding customer demographics, identifying unique selling points, and maintaining clear communication when starting a franchise.Join us as we discuss:[7:11] Identifying and massaging the pros and cons of franchise ownership[16:48] Overcoming early franchisee challenges in a seasonal business[24:58] Dealing with exponential growth and reassessing expectations[37:12] Common franchising misconceptions and success storiesYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to FieldFamous on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for FieldFamous in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In service-based industries such as pest control, improving the customer experience while creating more sales opportunities is paramount to growing sustainability. Delivering flexible financing options as a sales tool for companies enables them to provide better solutions to help customers make informed decisions quickly.That motivated Josh Brill to proactively create relationships with pest control companies and educate their teams on providing consumer financing as an extension of their businesses.He joins us on this episode of Pest in Class to share how his company, Wisetack, helps pest control companies close sales faster big-ticket jobs by providing flexible payment options to customers.Join us as we discuss:[04:58] How financing helps pest control businesses[12:04] Why financing is a better option for customers[19:53] How to talk to customers who need help right awayCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:WisetackFieldRoutesYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Hiring the right people for your pest control business is a marketing activity, not an HR one. You need to be intentional about attracting the right talent to your company. You also have to create the right message to put in front of the right people when they’re most apt to receive it. Retaining that talent is just as crucial as onboarding and training them.That motivated Ryan Englin to start his company in Nashville. He’s on a mission to help businesses in the pest control industry hire the right people with a process that gets repeatable results.He joins us on this episode of Pest in Class to talk about what his company, Core Matters, specializes in, how to hire the right people, and some best practices for employee retention.Join us as we discuss:[04:35] Why recruitment is a marketing activity[09:06] How to hire the right people[19:00] How to ask for what you need and showcase what you can offer[39:54] Best practices for employee retentionCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Core Matters Titans of the Trades PodcastHire Better People FasterField RoutesYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

From the outset, a pest control business might appear like an easy undertaking. What many don’t know or realize is that there’s more to it than meets the eye. It involves understanding the types of challenges and issues that each individual customer faces, introducing systems and processes to help the operation run seamlessly, and training staff regularly.In many cases, employees are also juggling multiple roles and responsibilities while organizing the expansion of their operations as well as coverage areas.Kyle Selbach personally believes that the more uncomfortable you get, the more successful you will be. He’s on a mission to drive his team to excel and provide customers with the best solutions in the business.He joins us on this episode of Pest in Class to talk about what his company, All U Need Pest Control, excels in and shares some of the growing pains and mistakes they made along the way that have led to their success.Join us as we discuss:[05:43] How to address some of the growing pains of companies[13:36] The challenges of expanding to different locations[18:15] Advice to owners looking to expand and make a transition[22:10] Why getting uncomfortable is key to successCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:All U Need Pest ControlFlorida Pest Management AssociationField RoutesYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Dr. Dini Miller has had a burning passion for pest control field research since she picked up a copy of The Flight of the Iguana, a commentary on evolutionary biology.Today, as a professor of Entomology at Virginia Tech, she spends considerable time studying the patterns behind agricultural and habitat infestations. In this insightful episode, Dini shares what she’s learned throughout 30 years of field research, including pest control techniques for cockroaches and bedbugs, as well as training tips for technicians.  Join us as we discuss:[16:45] A day in the life of an entomologist doing field research[22:50] Debunking social stigmas around bug infestations[27:45] The latest control techniques for cockroaches and bedbugs[45:22] Training tips for leaders in the pest control industryCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:The Flight of the Iguana by David QuammenYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to FieldFamous on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for FieldFamous in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

On the surface, door-to-door sales can look like an easy job. Everyone in the pest control business will tell you that it’s harder than it looks. You need to be able to handle rejection, grab the listener’s attention, and be quick to adapt to changing circumstances. It’s about building relationships, caring for customers, and ultimately helping them to solve their problems.That motivated John Ely to start his own pest control business in Atlanta. He knows from experience that the key to success with door-to-door sales lies in building trust with customers who initially had no intention to buy from you.He joins us on this episode of Pest in Class to share how he helped his company ProCare Pest Control to scale by providing professional services, good sales training, and systems that work for his business.Join us as we discuss:[08:16]: The importance of developing your own sales style[19:28]: John’s struggles and how he overcame them[25:31]: Why a good sales and training process is paramount[33:41]: John’s advice to business owners facing adversityCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:ProCare Pest ControlField RoutesYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

While change can be viewed with some trepidation, it’s also necessary for a company to scale effectively. Many in the pest control industry have started to realize how important it is to transition their operations to software that can make their work faster, more accurate, and more efficient.That’s what inspired Melanie Espinola to help get her company to the next level. She understood that to make the transition, the team would have to train, learn, unlearn, and relearn several aspects of their daily work.She joins us on this episode of Pest in Class to share how she helped General Environmental Services make the transition to software that changed the trajectory of the business and made it more successful.Join us as we discuss:[09:27]: Opportunity for growth in pest control[18:33]: What the transition to software was like[30:49]: How to prepare your team for a transition[44:47]: Advice for those thinking of transitioning to a new softwareCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:General Environmental ServicesBell LabsField RoutesYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Pest control marketing and branding can be very generic, bland, and forgettable for the most part. Many in the business don’t consider how important it is to visually communicate what your brand stands for and how you serve the wider community. Building your brand not only involves creating awareness but also rolling out marketing initiatives that are relevant, useful, entertaining, and memorable.That’s what motivated Crystal Williams to get into marketing for pest control businesses in the first place - to inject some “zestiness” into the brands of her customers and help them stand out in a crowded market.Crystal joins us on this episode of Pest in Class to share how Lemon Seed Marketing helps service-based businesses flourish and generate great results through differentiated marketing.Join us as we discuss:[13:48]: Tips for rebranding and how business owners can tell their stories[20:59]: Logo vs. mascot: Which one should companies use and the benefits of each[28:57]: How pest control businesses should leverage social media[37:13]: Advice on how business owners can start creating contentCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:From the Yellow Chair PodcastSpot On Pest ControlField RoutesSpot On's JingleYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to FieldFamous on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for FieldFamous in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.